Tuesday, August 15, 2000
Concourse could get upgrade
By Susan Vela
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HEBRON — Comair Inc. and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport officials unveiled plans Mondayto expand Concourse C by almost 40 percent by Thanksgiving 2001.
The expansion will be to the concourse's north, adding 35,000 square feet of additional seats, news stands and places to pick up a bite to eat. The estimated price tag — $9 million.
That will follow the completion this fall of another Concourse C expansion, in the opposite direction, that costs about $6 million.
All the reconfiguring, airport officials say, promises to accommodate Comair's soaring passenger numbers, which have outstrip ped what was expected in 1994, when Concourse C opened and before Comair made strides toward an all-jet fleet.
“It's a large financial commitment,” airport spokesman Ted Bushelman said.
But, “the more we can do for our passengers, the better we are. We'll be able to give (passengers) more to choose from.”
Plans for the expansion were announced during a session of the Airport Board's Planning and Development Committee.
Mr. Bushelman stressed that plans are in the preliminary stages. The next step, he said, is for airport and committee officials to talk about how to finance the project.
Federal dollars could be a possibility, he said.
Without solid plans for financing, a start-up date has not been established. But Comair spokesman, Nick Miller, said construction could begin next spring, so the project can be completed by the following Thanksgiving weekend, typically the busiest travel time for airlines.
Comair flew 4.7 million passengers through the first seven months of 2000, a 15 percent increase from the 4.1 million who flew Comair for the same period in 1999, and a 35 percent jump from the 1998 period.
Comair averages about 18,000 to 19,000 passengers a day. Passenger loads will only increase, Mr. Miller said, as Comair moves to an all-jet fleet, which should happen by the end of the year.
New stadium prepares for public 'open house'
Stadium shows sign of opening
'American Girl' doll has Cincinnati roots
Delegates say achievements trump scandal
Hyde Park woman for Bradley
Text of speech by Gov. Patton
Thank Clinton for centrism, Cuomo says
Kucinich defiantly liberal
Neighbors plead for city's help
Householder positioned for speaker of Ohio House
Motorists stick with old routes
School for arts approved by board
Shooting under investigation
They give them wings and prayers
Concourse could get upgrade
Murder suspects may go free if witnesses don't turn up
Pig Parade: Ms. Penciline
WLWT hires Rashid successor
City worker claims bias
GET TO IT
Tristate digest
